quicksearch
Tastings: November 2024
29 November 2024
88PTS
La Jara Prosecco Brut Biologico NV
Veneto, ItalyNot all Prosecco is sweet, as evidenced by the La Jara silver label organic bubble, rightly labelled Brut. Drier and more delicate in style than its gold label cousin, it allows elegant pear and peach to shine through with more purity. The attack is soft and creamy, with a finish that finishes barely off-dry. One of the best value Proseccos on the market.Prices:| BC | $22.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.95 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Terravista Proyecto Terruño Sparkling Albariño 2024
California, United StatesThis marks one of the first, if not the first, BC winery releases to be sourced from American fruit (as opposed to bulk wine), in this case from Grand Island Vineyard in Clarksburg, California. The fruit was picked and pressed on August 12, before being transported to Terravista for fermentation in a combination of concrete and stainless steel. Made in the charmat method, with an additional four weeks on lees, this is surprisingly soft and creamy, with a combination of perfumed orchard blossoms, pear, tangerine, and green apricot. Nicely balanced in a crisp, off-dry, aperitif style, but with more depth and complexity than you'll often find in the category. Well priced and well made.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
91PTS
Evolve Brut Premiere 2020
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe latest from Evolve continues to evolve as a serious brand at Time Family of Wines in downtown Penticton. Brut Premier is a traditional method sparkling wine that mixes 67% chardonnay with 33% pinot noir. Winemaker Lynzee Schatz has a special touch when it comes to wine, and that touch is light. The chardonnay was given plenty of lees stirring while the pinot was left on its own. The final blend was aged 36+ months before the final disgorgement and bottling. There is no rush to drink this pale straw bubble that presents a clean, fresh, biscuity palate with bright florals and inviting toast that finishes dry. First class and will age effortless 7-10 years. It's available to club members only.Prices:| BC | $43.99 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Santa Margherita Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Brut NV
Veneto, ItalyThis Prosecco is made with glera grapes grown on the hillsides of Valdobbiadene north of Venice, where Prosecco Superiore is the DOCG status. The refinement begins with tiny bubbles that reflect the straw yellow colour and highlight the green notes. The nose is a subtle mix of scents, including pineapples, peaches, and apples, and while exotically sweet smelling, the wine finishes clean and just off-dry. Prosecco with a touch of style.Prices:| CDN | $22.49 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Seven Stars Rigel Fool's Gold Vineyard 2022
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe Seven Stars series uses the traditional method, where the second fermentation occurs in the bottle. Rigel takes its name from the 7th brightest and one of the youngest stars in the night sky. This riesling (clone 21B) is grown at Fool's Gold Vineyard near Oliver. The nose is a floral affair with lime blossoms and a touch of stony, flinty notes mixed with croissant. The attack is more lemon, with a strong citrus finish that is round and lively, with more stony mineral notes that electrify the middle palate. This is a perfect wine for West Coast oysters and is long, flavourful, and complex. The quality of the wine is high, joining only a handful of top flight sparkling riesling in the province.Prices:| BC | $36.97 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
91PTS
Black Hills Brut Classical Method Brut NV
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaI was impressed with the first ever sparkling wine from Black Hills, but the second release is better. There is more tension in a much more moderate growing season temperature-wise. The chardonnay reflects it, pitching bright lemon and tangerine with some floral scents in the background, while the pinot noir adds texture and richness and some red fruit. After a 40 month rest on its lees, a creamy, chalky texture seals the deal. Another year in bottle after disgorgement is responsible for the harmony in the glass. The second bottling of the BH Brut is based on 2019 fruit fermented in a combination of stainless steel tanks and neutral oak barrels. The mix is 79/21 chardonnay/pinot noir.Prices:| BC | $50.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
La Jara Prosecco Frizzante Organic NV
Treviso, Verona, Veneto, ItalyBright, fresh, and easy sipping, this frizzante, organic prosecco has a floral sweetness on the nose that disappears into the palate. Green and red apple with a streak of tangerine skin adds a touch of pithy bitterness to the finish. Ready to drink, you can serve this with small bites before dinner.Prices:| BC | $24.98 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Trepat de Freixenet 1998
Conca de Barbera, Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainFrom the Cellar. Trepat is a mostly unknown red grape variety planted on less than 1000 hectares worldwide. Most, if not all, is planted in Spain, mainly in Catalonia, although there are a few plantings in Valencia and Murcia. Generally, trepat is used for rosé wines (rosados) and pink Cava, but lately, there has been a move toward making light reds with it, too. This bottle was part of an early experiment at Frexienet where it was grown and made into a rosado Cava. I had the chance to taste this just before its release in the early 2000s, and I brought a bottle back with me that I opened 26 years after the harvest. From 1998 to 2021, trepat was only allowed in rosés but was also approved in 2021 to appear in white sparklers. There wasn’t much effervescence left after 2+ decades, and the pink/orange colour had mainly precipitated out, but the acidity and red fruit persisted just enough to deal with some walnut shell. Drinking history is always fun and instructional.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Hester Creek Old Vine Brut 2021
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe 2021 Old Vine Brut is modelled in the classic blanc de blancs style using pinot blanc grapes from Hester Creek's Golden Mile Bench estate vineyard planted in 1968. Much like last year, it is a lean and tight mix of lemon and green apple with freshly baked buttered croissant notes. The palate has super fresh citrus and long linear lines. Oysters would be the match, or creamy mushroom risotto. The harvest process is all by hand, and the grapes are whole cluster pressed to retain their natural brightness. The first fermentation is done in stainless steel tanks followed by secondary fermentation in the bottle for 24 months en tirage It is fermented dry and at disgorgement the dosage was with a small amount of 2023 pinot blanc to earn the Brut designation.Prices:| BC | $34.99 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Wild Goose Frisch 2023
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis canned sparkler is a frothy, fruity, off dry drink with a lightweight 9% alcohol content. Clean and quaffable, it can also be used effectively by adding to orange juice for luncheon mimosas.Prices:| BC | $7.98 | 250ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Varias Cava Genui Brut Nature NV
Sant Sadurní d'Anoia, Penedès, Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainConsistency is the game's name here, which makes sense given that they have been bottling sparkling wine for 100 years in the Alt Penedès region of Spain, the historic birthplace of DO Cava. Brut Nature is a 30/40/30 mix of macabeo / xarel·lo / parellada that presents fresh, light, and super dry with a mix of citrus and light almond, and a pleasant creamy texture. Light, crisp, and ready to drink makes it a fine icebreaker for holiday partygoers. Serve with assorted sushi rolls or tapas.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
91PTS
Domaine Rolet Crémant du Jura Blanc Brut NV
Jura, FranceThe current NV Crémant du Jura Blanc Brut is from 2020, fermented in stainless with no MLF, and spends at least 2 years sur lattes before disgorged (date noted on the case) with 4 g/L. Based on chardonnay (50%), with savagnin, trousseau, poulsard, and pinot noir filling out the rest. This comes off estate vineyards in Arbois, Montigny-les-Arsures, Passenas, and Le Vernnois, and a mix of soils. Crisp green apple, bright lemon, fresh almond is kissed with meringue on the brisk, shining palate finishing with a slick of salinity. Quite lively at present, and a lovely evolution of style for the house.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $37.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
CedarCreek Aspect Collection Rosé Sparkling 2020
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe pinot noir fruit comes off the coolest block of the original CedarCreek property in South Kelowna and is picked very early, explaining its tart, acidic demeanour. Its bright orange/pink colour results from a two day maceration on skins. Post ferment, the must spends time in large format oak and concrete before it heads to bottle for a three year secondary fermentation on its lees. This is an extremely cool climate sparkler with plenty of acidity and underripe red berries but not much else. Best with goat cheese appetizers or pork dumplings. The Aspect Rosé sparkler is only available to club members.Prices:| BC | $76.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
83PTS
Tirriddis House Gris Brut Rendition No. 1 NV
Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesThis traditional method pinot gris was sourced from Washington State's Columbia Valley. Bitter nectarine, peach skin, light guava start up front, and fade away into a dry, soft, washed out palate, ending on a bitter orange note. Such a strange idea to use this grape in this way.Prices:| BC | $42.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
85PTS
Joh. Baptist Dietrich Pinot Noir Rose Sekt 2022
GermanyThis pale pink Germanic fizz carries subtle florals, strawberry, and pink grapefruit across a short, just off-dry palate, with a soft centre and softer bubble. One for cocktails / punch.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Joh. Baptist Dietrich Riesling Extra Trocken Deutscher Sekt 2022
GermanyExtra Trocken = Extra Dry = somewhat sweet. So expect a lightly sweet fizz with white peach, candied pear, and grapefruit atop a base of subtle toast. Simple and easy, this would be a natural for mimosas (especially at this price).Prices:| BC | $10.95 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
91PTS
Ailm Blanc de Blanc Traditional Method 2021
West Kelowna, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe folks at Quails’ Gate know chardonnay, and it shows in the inaugural release of a blanc de blanc chardonnay under the new Ailm Estate (East Kelowna) label. The fruit is sourced from Westpoint Vineyard, home to chardonnay vines that already appear to have an affinity for high-end sparkling wine. Look for a persistent mousse with a tight bead, fresh brioche, and honeyed apple nose. The flavours spill onto the palate with a rush of acidity and an all-important softness of texture that invites you into the glass. The finish is long and dusted in salinity and minerals that keep it clean. Oysters or mussels would be fine matches. The wine is aged on its lees for 28 months and gets a final dosage of 6.5 g/L using chardonnay to maintain the core story.Prices:| BC | $57.99 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Corcelettes Methode Traditionelle Brut 2022
Keremeos, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe 2022 Methode Traditionelle comes off the Corcelettes Estate Vineyard on the Upper Bench, Keremeos, in the Similkameen Valley. The vines are hand tended, the fruit hand harvested, and hand sorted from a vineyard that is raised using sustainable, responsible, and organic farming practices. The secondary ferment in the bottle sees the wine aged on its lees for 15 months. Look for fresh lemon and yellow fruit scents. The palate is similarly bright with a tight mousse and strong mineral and saline notes under a citrus, green apple finish. This must be served with food to balance the freshness. Freshly shucked oysters would be the ticket, or a favourite soft cheese.Prices:| BC | $59.90 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Blue Grouse Charme de l'île Sparkling NV
Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, CanadaThe Charme de l'île Blanc is a pleasant mix of floral Germanic varieties grown on Vancouver Island. It is a vibrant sparkler with a bright acidity but a soft, almost cushiony texture. It is meant to be charming and a signature Island fizz filled with crisp apple and lemon curd. Made in the Charmat style, it’s Vancouver Island’s take on Prosecco.Prices:| BC | $29.99 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Blue Grouse Charme de l'île Sparkling Rosé NV
Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, CanadaThe Blue Grouse Sparkling Rosé is made from 100% gamay noir grapes using the Charmat or tank method. The colour is a mix of raspberry with a splash of orange, which matches its citrus, orange, peach, and soft bubbles. This is fresh, simple stuff you can enjoy most afternoons with West Coast Happy Hour menus.Prices:| BC | $29.99 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
28 November 2024
91PTS
Little Engine Fortified Multi Vintage Pinot Gris NV
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis is easily the best Ruby port style wine I’ve tasted that was made in Canada. The colour is a faint orange-red with pronounced toffee aromas. The palate is rich with more toffee, apricot marmalade, and a touch of maple syrup. It's silky smooth and easy to sip, but be careful, as this slides down easily. Perfect for Christmas cake. Impressive. This is the 5th bottling of this fortified wine, made from estate-grown pinot gris. It blends five vintages from 2016-2020. The grapes are treated like a red variety on the vine with plenty of bunch exposure early in the growing season to ensure adequate airflow and phenolic development. Eventually, the grapes are harvested when a high degree of ripeness and sugar content is reached. It is all hand harvested and destemmed into 1 ton fermenters, and when the correct amount of residual sugar has been reached, the must is fortified with locally produced neutral brandy spirit, halting the fermentation. The total maceration time is about 3 weeks. From there, the wine is stored in neutral barrels, and a solera system has been created.Prices:| BC | $75.00 | 500ml |
Read Full Note
92PTS
Quinta do Crasto Vintage Port 2018
Cima Corga, Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalThis is a classically styled Vintage Port, offering a combination of ripe, plump brambles layered with graphite, anise, sweet spices, and violet perfume. Surprisingly approachable now, this will continue to reward cellaring over the next 8-10 years, with firm grained tannins that are supported by the dense, lush fruit. Solid value for the quality here.Prices:| BC | $75.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
27 November 2024
90PTS
Meyer Family Vineyards Pinot Noir - B Field Blend McLean Creek Road Vineyard 2023
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBeginning with a touch of reductive flinty notes, this pinot noir reveals a fragrant nose of rose florals, tangy raspberry and cranberry, subtle herbs, black pepper, and a hint of clove spices from 11 months in neutral French oak. The oak doesn’t overshadow the fruit, while crisp acidity makes the flavours feel brighter and more vibrant. At 13.5%., it feels lighter than expected, finishing slightly drying, yet savoury and salivating.Prices:| BC | $31.39 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
91PTS
Meyer Family Vineyards Pinot Noir - B Field Blend McLean Creek Road Vineyard 2023
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis opens with a fantastic nose of sappy dark cherry, fragrant rose petals, and beetroot, all deftly framed by judicious oak spice. The wine expresses the warmth of the 2023 vintage. It's mouth filling and medium-full bodied, but still retains bright, fresh acidity. It's serious, well-made pinot, with real depth. If you have the patience, tuck this way for 3-5 years to allow the tannins to resolve. There's no rush here.Prices:| BC | $31.39 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Bartier Bros. Pinot Noir 2022
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis is a light, juicy pinot in the cran-cherry spectrum, expressive of its Kamloops origin. There's still a firmness to the tannins, even after aging 17 months in seasoned French oak and stainless steel, and will be worth revisiting in 2-3 years. Correct, if lacking some depth.Prices:| BC | $39.99 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Nk'Mip Cellars Qwam Qwmt Pinot Noir 2022
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis south Okanagan pinot noir is among the richest and fullest representations you will taste in BC. Interestingly, the spicy, peppery nose and early entry are marked by a sour cherry note when you might expect it to be sweet. The warmth of alcohol and earthy, savoury, leafy forest floor notes lengthen the finish in a good way. A pulled pork sandwich would be a fun foil, or classic roasted chicken brushed with wild herbs. Ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $39.99 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Little Engine Gold Pinot Noir (Half Bottle) 2022
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe 2022 Gold Pinot Noir matured in a barrel for 15 months with no racking and was bottled in half and full sizes. 40% of the wine was aged in new French puncheons, while the balance was in second fill barrels. Look for an herbaceous forest floor nose with crushed dried herbs and spices. The palate features a mix of cranberries, earthy cherries, and sweet dark plums, supported by a silky texture and a long, saline-dusted finish. No need to wait to drink this. Think grilled polenta and mushrooms, or salmon with a mushroom and cherry sauce.Prices:| BC | $35.50 | 375ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Van Westen Vineyards Di Bello Wines VD Pinot Noir 2023
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaTom DiBello and Rob Van Westen began collaborating on this Naramata pinot noir long before the region experienced a surge in popularity for the heartbreak grape. Located on the Naramata Bench, which benefits from warm afternoons and cool early mornings, their joint venture has consistently yielded a richly styled pinot noir. The grapes are sourced from Granite Ridge Vineyard, which faces north, allowing the dark, floral notes and sweet black cherry to emerge prominently in the wine. This sets the stage for a fresh palate filled with juicy black plums and strawberries sprinkled with baking spices, reminiscent of a blend between Sonoma Coast and Central Otago. The savoury black plum slides smoothly across the palate, complemented by soft tannins. This wine has the depth to pair excellently with heartier dishes such as beef Bourguignon, duck confit, or roasted Cornish game hen.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
91PTS
Spearhead Pinot Noir Cuvée 2022
East Kelowna Slopes, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe Cuvée combines pinot noir grapes selected from Summerland and East Kelowna, blending several Dijon clones: 667, 115, 828, 777, and Pommard. The final mix comes from a barrel selection aged 13 months in 40% new French oak. Grant Stanley always brings refined intensity to the mix but never goes over the top, with this batch settling in at only 13.5% alcohol. It is full of baked black cherry on the nose, with notes of freshly turned earth, dried spices, and sweet brown sugar. The palate features more cranberry and pomegranate and additional spice in the finish. A busy, quality pinot. It is rich enough to pair with grilled lamb chops or a simple piece of rich, creamy cheese. Drink or hold.Prices:| BC | $46.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
91PTS
Lightning Rock Reserve Pinot Noir 2019
Summerland Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis Reserve label is one of several Lightning Rock pinots released in 2019. It comes from Summerland’s Canyonview Vineyard, seated over sandy, granite studded soils. The vines were 16 years old in 2019, and the wine is at the perfect moment to open in 2024. It is wild fermented and super juicy, with electric cherry and raspberry, bright acidity, and an alluringly smooth texture streaked with earthy and forest floor. They recommend Chef Marco Pierre White's favourite braised duck, sautéed morel mushrooms, and sinfully creamy mashed potatoes.Prices:| BC | $50.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
0PTS
Hillside Heritage Series Pinot Noir 2021
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaUnfortunately, this is heavily marked by smoke, with an astringent, ashy finish that shrouds the underlying cherry fruit. No score given.Prices:| BC | $36.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
26 November 2024
93PTS
Restless River Ava Marie 2020
Hemel-En-Aarde Valley, Hermanus, Walker Bay, Overberg, South AfricaRestless River is a small, but mighty, family-owned winery in the cool Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. Hundreds of years ago, the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley was known as Attacquas Kloof. In 1760 the elder, Wessel Wessels arrived with his family and set up home. Fast forward a few hundred years, when husband and wife Craig and Anne Wessels started planting part of the farm in 2004, launching the Restless River label in 2012 to continual critical acclaim. The farm has some of the oldest Cabernet sauvignon and Chardonnay in the Hemel-en-Aarde, with vines first planted in 1999. This Chardonnay bears the name of its single 2.06 hectare vineyard, named after their daughter. The slopes are south and east facing, with shallow top soils with iron-rich rocks and sandy gravels over decomposed granite clays. This was whole bunch pressed, settled overnight, and then native fermented into various sized French barrels (5% new) as well as two terracotta amphora, from Tuscany. Post ferment, this rested on lees for 11 months prior to moving to stainless for a 3 month tightening stint prior to bottling. Once in bottle, this rested for 18 months prior to release. Fragrant lemon, bright green apple, wild pear glides along the textural palate, bright with easy acidity, studded with crushed rocks, lined with wild lees, and imbued with mineral salts. The finish hums on and on and on. Drinking now, and with ample time ahead. 10901 bottles produced.Prices:| ON | $60.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
91PTS
Kershaw Wines Clonal Selection Chardonnay 2019
Elgin, Overberg, South AfricaRichard Kershaw MW, South Africa’s only winemaking master of wine, went on a mission to bolster cool climate Elgin ("the cooler place to be") by producing his Clonal Selection Range of wines. Off 8 small Elgin parcels and Dijon clones CY96, CY95, CY76 and the Entav clone CY548, this was whole bunch pressed and native fermented (MLF discouraged) before resting in Bourgogne barrels for 11 months (53% new oak). Lees-led, this creamy, elegant white carries perfumed lemon, ripe white peach, pear skin along the curvaceous frame, heightened with lemon pith and peel, and scented with ample fragrant blossoms. Quite posh, yet welcoming, drinking now and over the short term.Prices:| ON | $63.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
25 November 2024
89PTS
King Estate Pinot Gris 2022
Willamette Valley, Oregon, United StatesA spicy, lime, floral, jasmine nose with pear, mandarin peel, and Asian pear. The attack is equally full-flavoured, with white peach and pear leading the way, supported by pink grapefruit, the perfect amount of brioche lees, and stony minerals. A slightly drier version would be the best, but this is sold as a creamy, balanced wine that will appeal to a broad audience. The wine is fermented in stainless steel tanks and aged sur lie for 4 months before bottling.Prices:| BC | $31.99 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Novaripa Monatic Amber Pinot Grigio 2022
Abruzzo, ItalyAs the name implies, this is a skin contact pinot grigio, from Abruzzo. Fermented and raised in stainless, after an undetermined time on skins (just a short time, based on the very pale peach hue), this opens with gentle spices and subtle texture that lasts the length of the medium bodied wine. Pear, melon, and tangerine rule the palate, lined with a well placed lees bed, and finishing with a saline twist. Certainly more interesting and versatile than your average Italian grigio.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
CedarCreek Platinum Pinot Gris 2023
South Kelowna Slopes, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe 2023 certified organic pinot gris is a mix of grapes from two northern super cool vineyard sites. Home Block’s free-draining soil and racy acidity are accompanied by intense grapefruit pith and guava. At the same time, the Simes Vineyard fruit is awash in racy pear. Add some honeysuckle and stony mineral green fruit, and you have an intense, tart white that craves food. It is a lean affair, not for the faint-hearted, but for the adventurous.Prices:| BC | $41.99 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Rewild of Murray Darling Australia Pinot Grigio NV
AustraliaThis is a double green wine: first, it is environmentally responsibly made; and second, it brings a fresh citrus herb vibe to a skinny “grigio” white wine that finishes crisp and dry. It is all you could want or expect from a $13 wine. It is best with a creamy pasta dish or fish and chips.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Quails' Gate Field and Flight Pinot Gris 2023
United StatesThis wine is a blend of fruit from Washington and California, offering a unique sweet and sour profile. It opens with sweet tropical pineapple and orange, but as it develops on the palate, a tart citrus element comes forward, creating a clean finish. It is best enjoyed with rich, fatty foods that can balance the acidity. The price is in the mid to high $20s at private retailers.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
93PTS
Phantom Creek Estates Pinot Gris 2023
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOlivier Humbrecht, the legendary Alsace winemaker and biodynamic guru, is the consulting white winemaker at Phantom Creek, and it is his only outside Alsace consult. We are still awaiting the wild, stony Evernden Springs Vineyard in Similkameen to make it to this wine. In the meantime, Humbrecht has shaped his best effort in 2023 from Okanagan grapes. His unrelentingly slow fermentation techniques have produced a subtle, fresh style with acceptable intensity and length but without the heavy Alsace notes. Typically floral and fragrant, it's an intriguing mix of citrus, pear, litchi and croissant that is hard to resist. The added minerality and electricity are much appreciated here. Drink or hold, there is no rush. Excellent value.Prices:| BC | $27.99 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
22 November 2024
94PTS
Chester-Kidder Red Blend 2019
Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesWinemaker Gilles Nicault is a Washington State treasure. His exemplary work at Long Shadows and his mentorship under Rick Small at Woodward Canyon and Allen Shoup at Long Shadows, often regarded as the modern father of the Washington wine industry, has shaped him into a talented and thoughtful winemaker. The 2019 vintage showcases elegance and represents one of Washington's premier red wines. It features intense black fruit perfectly balanced with toasted oak. Composed of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Syrah, and a touch of Petit Verdot, this wine evokes some outstanding blends from Penfolds in Australia. While the palate is beautifully ripe, it still has dense, sweet tannins that require integration time. You can enjoy this wine now, paired with a rare steak, or you can exercise patience and wait for it to reach full maturity around 2026, when it will be ready to drink through 2036. Chester-Kidder is named in honour of Allen Shoup’s mother, Elizabeth Chester, and his grandmother, Maggie Kidder.Prices:| BC | $99.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $95.95 | 750ml |
| ON | $100.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Wirra Wirra Church Block Cabernet Shiraz Merlot 2022
McLaren Vale, South Australia, AustraliaChurch Block was the first wine produced under the Wirra Wirra label back in 1972. The name came from one of the original vineyards, next to the small Bethany Church (1854) in McLaren Vale. This is a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41% Shiraz, and 9% Merlot from various growers across the Vale. It was matured in a mix of 70/30 French and American oak (10% new) of varying sizes. Ripe blackberry, cassis flood the plump, juicy palate, with sticky, short, and branchy tannins to the soft coffee bean finish. A simple red for hearty stews.Prices:| BC | $27.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
92PTS
Koerner The Clare Red Wine 2022
Clare Valley, South Australia, AustraliaThe Koerner brothers like to show a neoclassic view of their home, Clare Valley, and its wines like this, The Clare, that typify their MO. This is their take on a Bordeaux blend, and in 2022 the blend was 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Cabernet Franc, 11% Grenache, 7% Malbec, 4% Carignan, and 2% Sciacarello off the terra rossa soils of Vivian, Parish, and Gullyview Vineyards, and vines planted in 1930 and 1998. This vintage was 50% whole berry (no whole bunch), native fermented in open top steel for two weeks on skins, and then racked into Slavonian foudre for 12 months. This was returned to steel for 4 months prior to bottling unfined and unfiltered, and with a minimum of sulphur. Alluring and intoxicating mint mixes with darkest chocolate, and is imbued with scrubby resinous herbs and wildflowers. Dark cherry, wild blackberry fills the fleshy core, structured with cab's ferrous and firm tannins. For all its concentration, this finishes at an admirable 13%, making it drinkable now (try long roasted ribs) or in future. The Diam10 cork leads me to believe it has a good future ahead.Prices:| BC | $49.99 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
93PTS
Black Stallion Transcendent 2018
Napa Valley, California, United StatesThe behemoth heavyweight bottle gets in the way of this wine that is far more elegant than its packaging. Napa is always rich and dense, but the tannins are glossy and sweet. Transcendent speaks to the much-improved styling of California reds, mixing black cherry and blueberry that spill onto a long palate of blackcurrant compote with muted tannins and a dash of dark chocolate and tobacco. Complex, and as mentioned, thankfully less fat than many. This would be perfect with grilled lamb or pork at this stage, with a side of savoury mushrooms.Prices:| CDN | $200.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
91PTS
Koerner The Clare Red Wine 2022
Clare Valley, South Australia, AustraliaExpect a medium-weight red with raspberry, black cherries, and cranberries, freshly clipped herbs, and a light spicy finish. It is a thoughtful style of red that fills a niche for those who prefer less weight and tannins in favour of food-friendly crunchy reds. The Koerner Clare Red has been described as a Bordeaux blend made in a Loire style, alluding to its vibrant, juicy, bright fruits and soft tannins. I think it’s a bit Beaujolais-like too. The premise is that by mixing several Clare varieties grown on cooler sites, you can create something that exceeds the solo version of any single varietal wine. The 2022 is a cabernet sauvignon dominated blend with cabernet franc, grenache, malbec, carignan and sciacarello. Red clay on limestone terra rossa is the soil composition structure all fermented in open-top tanks with 50% whole berries, no whole bunch that is hand plunged twice daily for two weeks. The finished juice is aged in Slavonian foudre for 12 months and racked off to stainless steel for four months.Prices:| BC | $49.99 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Koerner The Clare Red Wine 2020
Clare Valley, South Australia, AustraliaThe Koerner Clare Red has been described as Bordeaux varieties made in a Loire style, alluding to its vibrant, juicy, bright fruits and soft tannins. The premise is that by mixing several Clare varieties grown on cooler sites, you can make something that exceeds the solo version of any single varietal wine. It is an intersting mix of grapes dominated by cabernet sauvignon, with cabernet franc, grenache, malbec, carignan and sciacarello. Red clay on limestone terra rossa is the soil composition structure, all fermented in open-top tanks with 50% whole berries, no whole bunch that is hand plunged twice daily for two weeks. The finished juice is aged in Slavonian foudre for 12 months and racked off to stainless steel for 4 months. A dry season and a short crop help to intensify the wine, which is somewhat richer than the norm, albeit in small production. Look for raspberries, black currants, and mint with some spice and freshness in the finish. The richest of ’20, ’21, and ’22 vertical, but still cooler than the majority of Oz reds. It could be a fine accompaniment to raw beef.Prices:| BC | $49.99 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
92PTS
Koerner The Clare Red Wine 2021
Clare Valley, South Australia, AustraliaTasted alongside the ‘20 and the ’22, the ’21, considered, one of the best vintages of the century, presents a bit more on the Loire side with some old Barolo notes. Dried roses mix with plummy blackcurrant and fresh clipped greenery. The palate is more similar, with more black plums, sour cherries, mint, and dried tobacco. The red fruit and savoury, mineral notes announce the Clare Valley and a wine that follows its path. It is a modern take on classic Bordeaux, crying out for slow roasted lamb shoulder. Red clay on limestone terra rossa is the soil composition structure, all fermented in open-top tanks with 50% whole berries, no whole bunch that is hand plunged twice daily for two weeks. The finished juice is aged in Slavonian foudre for 12 months and racked off to stainless steel for four months. A classic with a long life ahead.Prices:| BC | $49.99 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
95PTS
Signorello Padrone 2019
Napa Valley, California, United StatesPadrone 2019 is an 86/8/3/3 mix of cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, merlot and malbec selected from the best blocks on the estate's rocky volcanic hillside soils. The winery mantra is the storyline of Padrone: finesse with power. It is texturally rich and packed with dense, sweet tannins. It displays the estate vineyards' sublime terroir, plentiful black fruit, licorice, espresso and subtle underlying floral/mineral notes. Padrone is wild fermented and spent 18 months in 55% new French oak before being bottled unfined and unfiltered. 2019 marked the arrival of Priyanka French, Celia Welch and Steve Mathiasson, and the changes, while subtle, are welcome: a slightly leaner style and fresher length. A cooler fall allowed for more hangtime, and the phenolics and acid levels are perfect. This is an excellent Napa cabernet.Prices:| CDN | $320.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $231.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $235.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
91PTS
Phantom Creek Estates Phantom Creek Vineyard Cuvée 2020
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPhantom Creek Vineyard turned 25 in 2021. Pioneering viticulturist Richard Cleave planted the site in 1996 on the lower terrace of the Black Sage Bench. The little eight acre parcel is mostly cabernet sauvignon and is the lead grape in most bottlings that have been released as single vineyard wines since the beginning. 2020 was an ideal year for ripening, and it's reflected in the 15.3% alcohol, which makes this a heavyweight but still well-balanced. It matured for 22 months in 65% new French oak that works seamlessly with the rich tannins and alcohol. The supporting cast of petit verdot, malbec, syrah, cabernet franc, and merlot add layers of complexity, bringing a range of flavours from plums and cassis to boysenberries and black cherries, with classic south Okanagan sagebrush notes and streaks of tobacco. This wine will only improve over the next decade. If you can wait, I suggest you do. You will have to join the PC wine club to gain access to this wine, which is reserved for members only.Prices:| BC | $100.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
92PTS
Penfolds Cabernet Shiraz Bin 389 2021
South Australia, AustraliaA near even split of cabernet sauvignon (53%) and shiraz (47%) from across McLaren Vale, Coonawarra, Barossa Valley, Wrattonbully, and Padthaway. This is aged in the barrels used for the previous vintage of Grange (American hogsheads, 37% new), earning it the nickname "baby Grange." The cabernet component shines right now, offering cassis, graphite, lavendar, and minty herbs, alongside a backing of peppery spice, eucalyptus, and brambles, all framed by cedar, vanilla, and dill. It's a remarkably dense, concentrated wine, that's just beginning to open up. Give this a vigorous decant or tuck away for a few years for this to be at its best.Prices:| BC | $99.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $99.95 | 750ml |
| SK | $99.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $99.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $99.95 | 750ml |
| QC | $99.95 | 750ml |
| NB | $99.99 | 750ml |
| NS | $99.99 | 750ml |
| NFL | $99.99 | 750ml |
| US | $80.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
21 November 2024
92PTS
Fillaboa Selección Finca Monte Alto Albariño 2021
Rías Baixas, Galicia, SpainThe Monte Alto vineyard sits at 150m elevation, strewn with peddles and benefiting from vines over 34 years old. This is fermented cool and matured in stainless steel for over a year on fine lees. Now with additional time in bottle, this pours a deeper hue, with a complex nose of gold-hued peach, delicate honeysuckle florals, and lees, all backed by a driving salinity. I love the combination of crisp acidity and rich, creamy texture from lees aging. A quintessential expression of albariño at a bargain price for the quality.Prices:| BC | $43.99 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
91PTS
Albamar Clarete NV
Rías Baixas, Galicia, SpainAlbamar Clarete is a one of a kind SKU in Xurxo Alba's wine portfolio. Clarete is made with 90% mencía grapes pressed off quickly as if they were grapes going into a white wine, along with 10% albariño (hand harvested from granite soils) directly pressed, fermented, and added to the mencia and left to age for 6 months in 500L French oak barrels. The colour is a light tinted copper hue followed by a stony, citrus, earthy, red currant wine that looks like a deep rosé but presents as a white wine with rich texture and freshness. It's bottled unfined and lightly filtered with low SO2 at bottling. A wine for knowledgeable grown ups.Prices:| BC | $50.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Albamar Tinto 2023
Rías Baixas, Galicia, SpainExpect tightly wound, high-acid red florals with slightly bitter walnut shell notes that infiltrate a plummy, saline palate featuring complex balsamic and sea salt notes designed to intrigue, especially a small crowd of wine geeks. The tannins are light, and the alcohol is low, making for a wine that will benefit from select food pairings. A local classic is sardine bruschetta with tomato and red onion. The ’23 Tinto looks more white than red from outside the bottle, but the word "Tinto" on the label indicates that it is red wine; in this case, it is a 95/3/2 blend of mencía, caiño, and espadeiro. The blend is a rarity in white-centric Galicia and is sourced from 100-year-old vines rooted in Val do Salnés's sandy, granitic soils. The fermentation lasts three weeks on skins, yielding a pale copper/orange colour that resembles a rosé more than a red before it spends over eight months in small French oak barrels. It is bottled without fining or filtering.Prices:| BC | $42.99 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Albamar Albariño 2023
Rías Baixas, Galicia, SpainThis is pitched as an entry level Albarino, but it delivers more. The nose is an enticing mix of fragrant yellow and orange fruits with a saline and almond undercurrent, aided by sandy spices and a perfect dusting of lees. There are endless food possibilities for West Coasters to try with this electric white. The Alba family has a long multi-generational history of farming and making Albariño in the Rïas Baixas' O Salnés subregion. The family owns 2.5 hectares and sources approximately 10 hectares throughout the region. The albariño vines are based on sandy soils that are fermented wild parcel by parcel.Prices:| BC | $42.99 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
92PTS
Granbazán Albariño Etiqueta Verde 2023
Val do Salnés, Rías Baixas, Galicia, SpainFounded in 1981, Granbazan was one of the original quality pioneers in the region, and first estate to invest in modern winemaking equipment and trained enologists. Their 13.5ha vineyard is located in Vilanova de Arousa, one of the villages in the Val do Salnés. Like most of Salnés, the vines are rooted in granite, planted en parra on granite pergolas about 2 metres above the ground to maximize wind exposure, and decrease humidity. Packed in a distinctive bottle, and sealed with an eco cork, this entry into their portfolio was native fermented and rested 3 months on lees. White peach, pear skin, green apple is interwoven with a buzzy granitic grip, and bedded with a layer of stony lees. Fresh, bright, and welcoming, yet serious.Prices:| ON | $32.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Pazo Cilleiro Albariño 2023
Val do Salnés, Rías Baixas, Galicia, SpainCilleiro monks from the Galician monasteries were already making wine in this region, over ten centuries ago. This is a Muriel Wines project with 250 growers, and 80 hectares of vineyards. This comes from small vineyards in the Salnés Valley, with sandy granitic quartz soils, and vines averaging 20-25 years. It was fermented over 2 weeks in stainless, where it remained for 2 months prior to release. Fragrant pear, ripe white peach, apricot fuzz is woven throughout the mouth, along with a finely buzzy granitic grip. This certainly has the structure to work with food pairings (think white or green risotto, or firmer white fish).Prices:| ON | $24.95 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Bodegas Terras Bauda Abadía de San Campio Albariño 2023
O Rosal, Rías Baixas, Galicia, SpainTerras (Land) Gauda (Happiness) was founded in 1990 by the Fonseca family in the southern-most region of Rías Baixas, O Rosal. Considered one of Rías Baixas’ most emblematic wineries, Terras Gauda uses only estate fruit. This comes off higher altitude vineyards, was native fermented in stainless where it remains until bottling. Tart, bright and shining, with sharp grapefruit, crunchy pear zinging along the palate, with a bitter lemon twist on the finish. Easy to enjoy, ideally with green veg and / or shellfish dishes.Prices:| ON | $25.95 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Paco & Lola Albariño 2023
Rías Baixas, Galicia, SpainCreated by a co-operative of 428 growers that was formed in 2005, Paco & Lola is one of the biggest albariño brands sold worldwide. From sandy loams across Rías Baixas, this was fermented in stainless over 3 weeks, where it remained on fine lees until bottling. Bright and zippy, with white grapefruit, lemon blossoms, and a fine slick of lees, finishing on a snap and with a fine granitic buzz. Clean and straight, and meant for seafood.Prices:| ON | $22.95 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
93PTS
Pazo Barrantes Gran Vino Albariño 2020
Val do Salnés, Rías Baixas, Galicia, SpainFrom the Salnés Valley, the heart of Rías Baixas, this ambitious albariño showcases the region’s serious side. It opens with fragrant florals from both the variety and 7 months of aging in 15% acacia wood barrels, complemented by orange peel, nectarine, subtle toasted nuts, spices, and savoury herbs like thyme and tarragon. On the palate, lees add a creamy mid-palate and a lingering finish, while a pithy note provides textural depth. At 13.5%, it’s a fuller, more structured albariño, but maintains its precision and focus. Four years in, the concentrated fruit, brisk acidity, and tight structure ensure it has plenty of aging potential.Prices:| QC | $62.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $70.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
La Val Albariño 2023
Rías Baixas, Galicia, SpainShowing good varietal definition, this albariño reveals aromas of delicate blossoms, Meyer lemon, zesty oranges, and white peach, layered with savoury herbal sage. Crisp and clean on the palate, it shows a lean body and nervy acidity, complemented by a subtle textural richness.Prices:| QC | $23.20 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
91PTS
Paco & Lola Prime Albariño Lias 2019
Rías Baixas, Galicia, SpainWhile albariño is commonly best enjoyed within 2-3 years, this example proves otherwise. At five years of age, this Rías Baixas still retains impressive freshness. Notes of yellow apple, Bartlett pear, and orange blossom are complemented by Mediterranean herbs and layers of subtle petrol, savoury lees, and a hint of nuttiness. The vibrant, zesty acidity, a hallmark of the grape, tightens the palate, while a subtle bitter finish adds textural depth.Prices:| QC | $26.30 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Pazo das Bruxas Albariño 2023
Rías Baixas, Galicia, SpainThis Rías Baixas albariño opens with zesty tangerine, layered with a hint of quince and subtle lees. Fresh basil and a saline sea breeze add an herbaceous, coastal lift, underscoring the wine's mineral backbone. On the palate, it strikes a remarkable balance with zippy acidity that brightens a round texture and pleasant viscosity. At only 12%, it’s light, yet delivers good depth and elegance without excess weight. An excellent value at this price.Prices:| QC | $22.75 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Lolo Albariño 2023
Rías Baixas, Galicia, SpainThis light and crisp albariño opens with refreshing oranges and grapefruit, complemented by subtle floral and herbal undertones. Crisp acidity lifts the palate, carrying the wine through a simple, yet clean finish.Prices:| QC | $18.65 | 750ml |
| ON | $21.95 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Adegas Valmiñor Darila 2022
O Rosal, Rías Baixas, Galicia, SpainFrom the Rías Baixas O Rosal region, this blends 40 year old vines of trellised albariño, along with splashes of loureiro and treixadura from the area's sandy, alluvial, river stone laden soils. The grapes were fermented separately in stainless, with albariño and loureiro receiving additional time on lees before blending. There's a lovely generosity to this medium bodied (12.5%) white, with green fig, perfumed white peach, quince, and fine, buzzy granitic spice that carries this long on the palate, finishing with a bitter anise kiss. Bright acidity ensures the food-friendliness of this white. Peach, burrata, and prosciutto seem a natural match.Prices:| BC | $24.99 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Lagar de Cervera Albariño 2022
Rías Baixas, Galicia, SpainPart of Groupo La Rioja Alta, this comes from estate grapes (the largest estate-owned Albariño vineyard in Rías Baixas) in the O Rosal and O Salnés sub-zones. It was cold macerated under gas before ferment in stainless, with no MLF, where it remained on lees until bottling. Tart grapefruit, Asian pear, green melon glides along the lees slicked palate, finishing with a snappy citrus twist. Friendly and easy to enjoy.Prices:| BC | $44.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Fento Wines Bico Da Ran Albariño 2023
Val do Salnés, Rías Baixas, Galicia, SpainOne of winemaker and albariño master Eulogio Pomares' many projects (most notably, Zarate), these grapes come from Rias Baixas' sub area of Valle del Salnés, up to 300m, near the sea. Crisp, light, and bright, this skips along the lees slicked palate with Anjou pear, white grapefruit, green melon, and ringing salinity, which lingers on the palate along with a bitter citrus twist. Juicy and lively, this will awaken the senses and partner with numerous green veg and fresh herb dishes.Prices:| ON | $20.95 | 750ml |
| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
92PTS
Pazo Barrantes Gran Vino Albariño 2020
Val do Salnés, Rías Baixas, Galicia, SpainAn attractive, fragrant nose of white orchard blossoms, juicy apricot, honeyed nectarine, nougat, and soft lees, this almost tastes like this was aged in barrel given the rounded, lifted fruit and rich, creamy texture, but interestingly this is largely stainless steel, with 15% acacia barrels. Clearly, it works for this fruit, and I love the combination of the vivid fruit, pronounced complexity, and undercurrent of salinity. I'm not sure if there's a market for $60 albariño, but there's no question this is fantastic. Sourced from the winery’s estate in the Val do Salnés, the vines average 40 years old, rooted in granitic soils.Prices:| QC | $62.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $70.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
La Val Albariño 2023
Rías Baixas, Galicia, SpainThis is a refined, gently perfumed albariño with a combination of white grapefruit, apricot, white blossoms, and fresh fennel. It has lovely texture and concentration on the midpalate, with a touch of phenolic bitterness on the finish, perhaps from four hours of skin contact (40% of the blend). This is sourced from La Val's three estates, covering three different soil types: granite in Taboexa; alluvium and pebbles in Arantei; and schist in Vilachán.Prices:| QC | $23.20 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Paco & Lola Prime Albariño Lias 2019
Rías Baixas, Galicia, SpainThis lees (lias) aged albariño could almost be confused for Muscadet, with waxed lemon, green apple, and bready lees. The acidity is rounded, with a creamy texture from ageing in stainless steel for over a year on its fine lees. It may not show as much varietal typicity, but it's still an intriguing white wine all the same, showing a different side of albariño. And there's still remarkable freshness here given the 2019 vintage, with almost no tertiary development. Sourced from the subzone of Val do Salnés from the winery's oldest vineyards.Prices:| QC | $26.30 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
91PTS
Turonia Albariño 2021
Rías Baixas, Galicia, SpainPouring a pale gold, this albariño benefits from several years in bottle, revealing notes of dried white flowers, waxed lemon, honeyed peach, and Marcona almonds. It certainly shows the ageworthiness of albariño, and it's likely just entering its peak now. The complex, captivating nose keeps pulling you back in, but it's the energy on the palate that really excites me. There's vervy acidity and a rich, weighty texture even at just 13% abv, with a sapid, mineral finish.Prices:| QC | $28.95 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Pazo das Bruxas Albariño 2023
Rías Baixas, Galicia, SpainThis restrained, mineral-driven albariño is sourced primarily from the esteemed Val do Salnés subzone. It offers impressive depth, with bright lemon, green apple, nectarine, and fresh herbs, all wrapped in a mist of sea spray. With two hours of skin contact, there's added phenolic texture and notable concentration on the palate, marked by a medium-long, chalky finish. Fans of crisp, mineral whites will want to back up the truck This is unbelievable value.Prices:| QC | $22.75 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Lolo Albariño 2023
Rías Baixas, Galicia, SpainThis light, zesty albariño features a combination of lemon, white peach, and celery salt, accented by pillowy lees that provide texture to the lean frame. Crisp and refreshing, it makes for a solid, affordable introduction to the grape that's excellent value.Prices:| QC | $18.65 | 750ml |
| ON | $21.95 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
92PTS
Albamar Albariño O Sebal 2023
Rías Baixas, Galicia, SpainXurxo Alba's family has been farming and making Albariño in Rïas Baixas' O Salnés subregion for generations. It wasn't until Xurxo finished his enology studies that the Alba family started bottling and commercializing their wines in 2006 under his direction. The Alba family owns 2.5 hectares and sources approximately 10 hectares throughout the Atlantic-influenced region. This organically farmed albariño comes from a single sandy soiled plot, vinified native in stainless, where it remains for 10 months on lees. There is no SO2 used in the O Sebal cuvée. This certainly leaves an impact, with alluring anise weaving through bright green apple, starfruit, and white grapefruit, kissed with wild lime and running long on the slender palate. Subtle and shining, this is an exemplary example.Prices:| BC | $45.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
La Carmina Albariño 2023
Condado do Tea, Rías Baixas, Galicia, SpainThe albariño comes from vineyards located in the municipality of Arbo, in Rías Baixas' Condado do Tea, at 950m. After a short pre-ferment maceration, this was pressed and fermented in stainless, where it remained for a short time. White peach, grapefruit, and lime blossoms light up a creamy palate, finishing with an alluring granitic grip. Smart, friendly white.Prices:| ON | $29.95 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
20 November 2024
91PTS
Josep Grau Volador Tinto 2022
Montsant, Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainJosep Grau oversees 26ha of organic vineyards in Priorat and Montsant at varying elevations and degrees of llicorella (slate), chalky clay, and decomposed granite. This Tinto is 60-70% Garnacha Tinta, 30% Cariñena, and 10% Syrah from calcareous clays, native fermented and aged in concrete tanks for 6 months. Scrubby herbs and broken stones imbue black raspberry, wild cherry, perfumed dark plum, and cracked pepper with an easily lifted acidity and long, finely buzzy tannins. A very pure and pretty expression of place and grapes.Prices:| ON | $24.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Le Paradou Accent and Nuances Grenache 2022
Sud de France, FranceThe last time we reviewed this wine was a decade ago, and we enjoyed it thoroughly. It presents equally well ten years later, beginning with juicy, spicy raspberry, red currant with a long, warm palate. The tannins are silky, and the flavour intensity reflects the 75 year old vines that feed this wine. This old vine grenache spends 6 months in concrete before bottling. It’s a pure expression of the grape that shouts black raspberries and pepper with a lick of garrigue to complex the finish. It’s another backup the truck. Sold at Everything Wine.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.99 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Tread Softly Grenache 2023
South Australia, AustraliaThis South Australian grenache wasn't kidding with its Tread Softly moniker, clocking in at a bizarre 10.8%. The brand is dedicated to reducing its carbon footprint with sustainable vineyard and winery practices. For every case of Tread Softly sold, the brand commits to planting an Australian native tree. To date, more than 1.5 million trees have reportedly been planted. This comes from mostly dry farmed vineyards bordering Victoria and South Australia, with an early, cooler harvest and destemming, cool ferment, and brief rest in stainless before an early release to market. Gently smoked strawberry, early raspberry, is scented with gum trees, brightened with rhubarb, and tweaked with tart cranberry. Tannins are soft and near negligible, with only a pronounced saltiness (?) to add definition and texture. Try with a chill, a daylight patio, and a summer charcuterie board.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Mesta Garnacha 2023
Castilla-La Mancha, SpainThe Mesta was a powerful connection with shepherds in Medieval times, controlling the routes for herding sheep across the country (hence the label). Today's vineyards are still passed over by flocks on their annual migration, a reminder of ancient rights and continuing co-existence with nature. This organic garnacha comes from high altitude vineyards in central Spain's Castilla-La Mancha, and was done entirely in stainless to preserve the fresh fruit. The Mesta project is overseen by knowledgeable MW and winemaker Sam Harrop. Juicy candied strawberry and raspberry is dotted with nutmeg, and lined with sticky, gummy tannins, leading this to a spiced, short, and thankfully moderate 12.5%. A soft, easy, pretty red to crack into now.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Grosgrain Grenache 2022
Red Mountain, Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesIn 2014, Matt and Kelly Austin left their careers as an attorney and fashion designer in California for a new life in the Pacific Northwest. After Matt returned to school to study enology and spent time working with several Washington wineries, they stumbled upon a small vineyard on the Southside of Walla Walla. Planted with uncommon varieties, these 5 acres became Grosgrain Vineyards, a winery dedicated to championing sustainable farming. From Washington's renowned Red Mountain comes this gently structural grenache, matured in neutral oak and comfortably resting now at 14.4%, but with a lovely lightness of being. Strawberry jam, juicy raspberry, black tea is kissed with rasped pink peppercorns, all wrapped with fine, sticky tannins which guide this to the gently warming finish. A pretty, thought rotund version, drinking now.Prices:| BC | $67.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Grosgrain Carignan 2022
Walla Walla Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesIn 2014, Matt and Kelly Austin left their careers as an attorney and fashion designer in California for a new life in the Pacific Northwest. After Matt returned to school to study enology and spent time working with several Washington wineries, they stumbled upon a small vineyard on the Southside of Walla Walla. Planted with uncommon varieties, these 5 acres became Grosgrain Vineyards, a winery dedicated to championing sustainable farming. From volcanic fractured basalt at 420m, this carignan rested 11 months in neutral French oak. Perfumed plum, wild cherry is woven with rosemary, and framed with slight, sticky tannins. Acidity is brisk, and alcohol is a super welcome 12.2% (!). Definitely a welcome shift for Walla Walla, and one to watch.Prices:| BC | $65.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
93PTS
Lourens Family Wines Howard John 2021
Swartland, Coastal Region, South AfricaNamed after Franco Lourens' dad, whose image features on the label, Howard John is a Swartland blend of Grenache with 30% Cinsault and 15% Syrah, sourced from a combination of granite and iron-rich clay soils. This was whole bunch and native fermented. There's a beauty sapid core of wild cherry, raspberry, sunripened strawberry, kissed with fragrant scrubby herbs, and framed with long, lithe, sticky tannins. What a graceful, finessed wine.Prices:| ON | $40.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
92PTS
Bodegas Sentencia Lluvia Garnacha 2022
Utiel-Requena, Valencia and Murcia, SpainAlberto Pedrón comes from a long line of vine growers in Los Pedrones, a village of fewer than 200 inhabitants in the comarca of Utiel-Requena, Valencia. Over the years, many of these familial plots fell victim to the restructuring of Spanish vineyard land, whereby old plantations were pulled up and replanted with higher yielding varieties from other parts of the world. In 2006, a 6 hectare plantation that had been tended by Alberto’s father, grandfather and great-grandfather was similarly sentenced to death, and he decided to take action. He would resurrect the family bodega to save the vineyard and, by extension, a way of working and living. This Garnacha comes from very old, organically farmed vineyards. It was foot trodden in stone lagares for 10-15 days, followed by destemming and transfer to stainless steel for a native ferment. It remained in stainless steel over the winter and was transferred to used French oak for 6 months. Opening with a temporary swing of reduction, this moves into fresh cherry, tobacco, gravels, and scrubby herbs. Tannins are fine and sticky, and acidity is mountainous and present. A lovely 12.5% aids smashability, especially with grilled sausage or country paté. 3200 bottles made.Prices:| ON | $31.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
19 November 2024
91PTS
Blue Mountain Estate Cuvée Pinot Noir 2022
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThere is magic in the soil at Blue Mountain, and as the vines age, they are now 15-16-year-old vines, you can only expect more, which is considerable. I love the wild berry fruit, reminiscent of cherries and strawberries, with a hint of earth and forest floor that gives a subtle gravitas. That said, it is so drinkable that consumers flock to this style. It’s not the same height as the single vineyard offerings, but neither is the price. What it is is a high-value pinot selling at a bargain price.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Wild Goose Pinot Noir 2022
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis Oliver-based 13.5% pinot is about soft, round, easy-sipping fruit. Cherries and baking spices mark the nose, while the palate is a red plum and strawberry compote affair with a light brushing of oak and a touch of orange. It's a simple, uncomplicated bottling that was made to drink now. The winery suggests sundried tomato and feta sausages, or harissa roasted vegetables. Sounds good to me.Prices:| BC | $29.99 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Orofino Pinot Noir Home Vineyard 2021
Cawston, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOrofino works with five different clones grown at its Cawston Bench estate vineyard. It is no secret that winemaker John Weber believes all wines are made in the vineyard, which in the wild Similkameen means authenticity. The silky textures draw you into the wine and the savoury, juicy mix of rich, red fruits with spice and a subtle desert scrub undercurrent. The grapes were hand harvested, lightly crushed into half-ton open fermenters, and hand punched 2 times per day until the end of wild, natural fermentation. It was all 11 months in mostly older French oak barrels and bottled unfiltered and unfined. Uniquely Orofino and Similkameen, this is a welcome addition to the New World list of quality pinot noir.Prices:| BC | $31.65 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Moraine Pinot Noir Sophia Vineyard 2022
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe Moraine Sophia Vineyard Pinot Noir comes off the home estate on the Naramata Bench. The clone 777 Pinot Noir is hand harvested and fermented whole berry. The result is a silky soft texture that sets the stage for pinot to display its full charm. Look for a rich cherry nose with the subtlest hint of toasted oak. The palate is similar in cherry and red berry that run through a perfectly balanced wine with just enough tannin to offset the acidity, so all slides down effortlessly. It is pretty tasty now but will only improve in the bottle over the next three to five years. The classic match is duck confit, but salmon or pork would also be exciting matches.Prices:| BC | $32.99 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Spearhead Pinot Noir 2022
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaIn 2022, winemaker Grant Stanley combined fruit from East Kelowna and Summerland to create a designated Okanagan Valley pinot noir. The style is fresh, the nose a mix of red berries, the palate more of the same with some plums and spice and just a hint of sour cherry in the finish for complexity. Easy sipping this slides down effortlessly. It is a mix of Dijon clones 115, 777, and 667, all hand-harvested, destemmed, and cold soaked for 5-7 days before an indigenous yeast fermentation. It spent 13 months in French oak barrels, of which only 25% were new. This is a fun wine for light pizzas, salmon sushi, or duck paté.Prices:| BC | $36.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
0PTS
Lightning Rock Canyonview Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021
Summerland Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThere is a persistent smoky theme here, so we will not score this wine and wait for 2022.Prices:| BC | $38.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Blue Grouse Pinot Noir 2021
Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, CanadaFrom Vancouver Island’s Cowichan Valley, this pinot noir has rested post-ferment in amphoras before spending 16 months in barrels. The attack is fresh and pure, pitching plums and black raspberries with a savoury underside of earth and leaves, and a dollop of spice at the back end. The texture is well managed with firm but pliable tannins and a signature fresh terroir full of bright acid. It is a perfect fall or winter wine you can serve with mushroom dishes or grilled salmon.Prices:| BC | $35.99 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
94PTS
Sage Hills Vineyard Small Lot Pinot Noir 2012
Summerland Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaTasted previously in 2014, it was fascinating to taste it ten years later and see the continuity. Very pale and garnet-coloured throughout, it starts with preserved cherries and strawberries, vanilla, some caramel, cloves, and cinnamon. The flavours follow through similarly with sweet baking spices, preserved fruit, mulberry, violets and overripe thimbleberry. Beautifully mature, the fruit has not faded but evolved from its younger self. Superbly integrated, rounded flavours, pinpoint acidity, and finessed aged tannins, this is a well-balanced red with a long, complex finish. It could last five years still. 2014 notes: Vanilla, oak, cloves, floral, roses, effortlessly beautiful, pine, forest floor, cross-currents of cherry, raspberry – projected bouquet. Vanilla, cedar, cloves, sweet spices, penetrating flavours, not typical Pacific Northwest pinot. Reminiscent of weightier but balanced & elegant California pinot, especially from Santa Maria AVA.Prices:| BC | $44.90 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
94PTS
8th Generation Vineyard Pinot Noir 2012
British Columbia, CanadaPale with a touch of garnet only on the rim, the nose is an unusual but intriguing, harmonized assembly of rich marsh-like aromas that include dried dark currants, preserved black plums, charcoal, wet leaves, and licocrice. The tastes are similar and also include red currants, underripe blackberries, and leaf smoke. There's not a big initial flavour impact here or overall intensity but the second half is compelling, mainly mid-palate, and fades very slowly into a finish containing complex, contributing tannins along with the elements of dried currants, marsh, and licorice. There's great focused purity of flavour throughout. Remarkable.Prices:| BC | $23.49 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Haywire Waters and Banks Pinot Noir 2014
Summerland Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPale, brick mature colour throughout and very shy on the nose, this is well balanced but has fading flavours in the mid-palate. There were some light notes of autumn leaves and preserved plums in this easy drinking and rounded red. Sourced from a Summerland vineyard owned by growers Waters and Banks, the wine was whole bunch fermented with wild yeast, spending 4 weeks on skins before going into concrete eggs. The clones involved are Dijon 115 and 667.Prices:| BC | $39.90 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
91PTS
Unsworth Vineyards Pinot Noir 2022
Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, CanadaDelicate and ethereal, this is Island pinot at its best. There's an understated confidence to the winemaking, with an approach that is both thoughtful and sophisticated, and keeps the focus squarely on the fruit. It's floral and perfumed, backed by pure wild strawberry and raspberry fruit, and beautifully framed by toasted oak spice (15% new wood). It's light but concentrated, silky but structured, and all the other contradictions that make pinot noir so compelling. Highly recommended.Prices:| BC | $38.90 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
92PTS
Blue Mountain Reserve Cuvée Pinot Noir 2022
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe 2022 Reserve Pinot is a blend of Blue Mountain’s three key pinot vineyards with vines now 25 years and older with a mix of clones 113, 114, 115, and 667. It’s undoubtedly one of the best-structured pinots they have released: silky, rich, dark cherry with a surprising density from front to back and top to bottom. The Reserve gets a manual thinning in the vineyard to reduce the crop yield and increase the flavour and weight concentration before wild fermentation. The rest is classic practice: hand harvested fruit, destemmed, placed in open top fermentation tanks. Post ferment, the decanted juice is put in a blend of new to 4th-fill 228L French oak barrels bottled in March 2024. At CDN $45, it is easily one of the best in its class in North America. Get it while you can.Prices:| BC | $45.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
18 November 2024
93PTS
Artemis Karamolegos 34 2022
Aegean Islands - Santorini, The Islands, GreeceArtemis Karamolegos is one of the most dynamic wineries on the unique island of Santorini. Led by his grandfather, who started making wine and cultivating vines as a hobby in the 1950s, Artemis founded the winery in 2004. They own just over 3ha of vineyards (some over 100 years old) across Pyrgos, Megalorchori, Exo Gonia, Akrotiri and Fira, and have long term contracts to farm another 5 hectares. This comes from very old assyrtiko vines (some of the oldest on the island), partially native fermented (10% in oak), where it remains for 8 months on lees. This streaks along the buzzy palate, buoyed with marine salinity, and vibrant with electricity. Green apple, white grapefruit, tight quince, and crystalline lemon are interwoven with salinity, long and taut, finishing with a humming echo of minerality. Such a striking, worthy wine, now and with time ahead.Prices:| ON | $70.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
91PTS
Artemis Karamolegos Santorini 2022
Aegean Islands - Santorini, The Islands, GreeceArtemis Karamolegos is one of the most dynamic wineries on the unique island of Santorini. Led by his grandfather, who started making wine and cultivating vines as a hobby in the 1950s, Artemis founded the winery in 2004. They own just over 3ha of vineyards (some over 100 years old) across Pyrgos, Megalorchori, Exo Gonia, Akrotiri and Fira and have long-term contracts to farm another 5 hectares. This comes from vines averaging 80 years and blends 90% assyrtiko and 10% blend of Athiri / Aidani. This was fermented and aged in stainless on lees for seven months. White grapefruit, green fig, mandarin, tight quince streaks across the palate, swelled with an effortless marine acidity, and kissed with salinity. Quite a smart, fresh, pure look at the island and assyrtiko.Prices:| ON | $60.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Josep Grau Volador Blanco 2023
Montsant, Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainJosep Grau oversees 26ha of organic vineyards in Priorat and Montsant, at varying elevations and degrees of llicorella (slate), chalky clay, and decomposed granite. This Garnacha Blanco was grown in clay soils and from young vines. It was native fermented and aged in concrete tanks for 3 months. Silken pear, green fig, and lemon pith / peel stream throughout, finishing with a lingering saltiness, and a kiss of fresh green herbs. Quite smart.Prices:| ON | $24.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Bermejos Malvasía Volcánica Seco 2022
Canary Islands, SpainLos Bermejos is headed by pioneering winemaker Ignacio Valdera. Lanzarote is the farthest east of the seven main islands of the Canaries, closest to Africa, and is the driest and hottest of the group, as it lacks the mountainous terrain that dominates the others. As such, the winds are intense, and vines need to be planted in small 2m deep hoyos (holes)in the volcanic soils in order to survive. This is ungrafted and organically farmed Malvasia Volcánica, a cross between Malvasia Aromatica and Marmajuelo, the latter of which is indigenous to the Canaries. It was fermented in steel, where it remained on skins until bottling. White peach, pear blossoms, perfumed gooseberry, and subtle ginger skip across the sleek, medium bodied palate, with a slick of lees to counter the brisk marine fresh acidity. There's a shimmering salinity throughout, keeping this mouthwatering, and countering malvasia's inherent florality.Prices:| BC | $35.99 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Unico Zelo Esoterico 2022
AustraliaHusband and wife duo Brendan and Laura Carter started Imp Zelo in 2012 to shine a light on the numerous Italian varieties planted in Oz, now shining in the face of climate change. This skin contact white blend is based on zibbibo (with backup roles from moscato giallo, gewurztraminer, greco, and fiano) and sourced from sandy limestone soils of Barmera, Riverland and Polish Hill River, Clare Valley. The slight haze illustrates its non-interventionist winemaking, while the deep golden hue hints of time on skins. There were no additions or deletions save for a wee tip of SO2 at bottling. Lime blossoms, apricot, tangerine pith and peel, white honey, and fresh ginger are scented with soap bubbles (hello Gew!) and subtly textured (hello skins!), finishing with a raspy white pepper note on a juicy, bone-dry frame. At 10%, this is a slight and friendly foray into skin contact whites. Pour with spiced Thai or Japanese dishes.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $34.99 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Novaripa Dovizia Trebbiano d'Abruzzo 2020
Abruzzo, ItalyGrown in the pergola system, this trebbiano was crushed and left on skins for 8 hours while cold, then pressed off into barriques for fermentation and 6 months bâtonnage, after which it aged 1 year in concrete. Pouring a golden yellow hue, this full bodied white carries ripe melon, fragrant white peach, ripe pear, and perfumed spices along the finely creamy palate, finishing with lingering ginger spices. With grapes at full maturity (but not overripe) this is a well handled, expansive wine for the dinner table.Prices:| BC | $48.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Novaripa Monatic Ray Pecorino 2022
Abruzzo, ItalyFrom sands and clays at 200m in Abruzzo, this pecorino was crushed and left on skins for 6 hours before being pressed off into stainless, where it remained with bâtonnage until bottling. Ripe white peach, almond, and downy lees ride the brief, plumped palate to a snappy and sour white grapefruit finish. A tip of RS ensures this entry white will easily pair with mild curries.Prices:| BC | $24.49 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Inama Vin Soave Classico 2022
Soave, Verona, Veneto, ItalyDuring the 1960's, Giuseppe Inama, the estate’s founder, began to purchase small plots of vineyards in the heart of the Soave Classico. Today the winery has 30ha across the region's volcanic soils. This, their classic Classico, was vinified in stainless to preserve garganega's fresh fruit. Bright melon, pear is brightened with grapefruit and lined with stony lees, the latter taking a wee edge of this lean, sleek white. The finish quickly turns to snappy, tart white grapefruit. A refreshing, lighter white (12%) well suited to coastal shellfish and green salads.Prices:| BC | $27.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
92PTS
Las Moradas de San Martín Albillo Real 2020
Vinos de Madrid, Castilla-La Mancha, SpainTasted two years along, and still showing strong. Located in the hilltops of Pago de los Castillejos, these old vineyards benefit from altitude and granitic / volcanic soils, imbuing a natural freshness and minerality. Winemaker Isabel Galindo farms organically / biodynamically. This is entirely Albillo Real, destemmed and native fermented, with 1/4 MLF, aged 6 months in 300 and 500 L French barrels. Fresh almonds, marzipan, wildflowers, stream ample salinity, and bright green apple, with kisses of white honey, and finishing with a crack of sea salt. There's an alluring slick of lees running down the palate, and lingering on the medicinal lemon finish. still shining.Prices:| BC | $41.99 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
91PTS
Envinate Benje Blanco 2022
Tenerife, Canary Islands, SpainThe fruit for the Benje wines comes from vineyards in Santiago del Teide, high on the northwestern volcanic slopes of Tenerife, around 1000m. This is organic, bush vine Listán Blanco (aka Palomino), each parcel vinified separately in concrete and open tubs, with 25% skin contact for up to 40 days. The wine is aged for 8 months in 60% concrete and 40% old French barriques. Tight, buzzy, lightly lees licked, with ample volcanic and marine energy driving this through a super saline finish. Smashable.Prices:| BC | $43.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Domaine Gayrard Ori Loin de L'Oeil 2022
Sud-Ouest, FranceThis amber wine is from organic loin de l'oeil from SW France. Organically farmed fruit was cold macerated on skins before a native ferment in stainless, and aging in clay amphora. Pouring a deeper gold hue in the glass, this streams bitter orange, apricot pith, tangerine, and melon along the lightly waxen, palate, finishing briefly with a grapefruit twist. Lower acid, but makes up for in texture, and would be fun to play with in food pairings.Prices:| BC | $36.99 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
92PTS
Azores Wine Company Verdelho O Original 2023
PortugalThis is Verdelho o Original, aka Verdelho do Pico, indigenous to the Azores and Madeira. This is a different species than the Douro grape often called Verdelho, which is the Portuguese name for Godello. From volcanic basalt soils, and grapes 15 – 35 years old, this was whole bunch pressed, and native fermented and aged in a mix of stainless steel barrels and used oak barrels, with 8 months lees contact. Unmistakably saline and mineral, with crunchy pear, meadow grass, white grapefruit, and fresh, zesty acidity, all rinsed with an alluring salinity that lingers on the finish. True to place.Prices:| ON | $53.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
91PTS
Azores Wine Co. Arinto dos Açores 2023
PortugalArinto dos Açores is a unique grape native to the Azores, unrelated to mainland Portugal's Arinto. These vines are planted in the rock cracks at the foothills of the volcanic mountain, almost touching the ocean. The vineyards are protected from the strong salty marine breezes by rock walls known as currais. This was native fermented in horizontal stainless barrels, where it remained on lees for 8 months. Tart lemon, lemongrass, juicy grapefruit, and elderflower run the sleek length of this electric wine, buffered by subtly creamy lees, and finishing with a stony, saline buzz. A beauty marine swept white.Prices:| ON | $53.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
13 November 2024
90PTS
Terravista En Terre Riesling 2023
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaEn Terre is a new project from Terravista Vineyards, allowing the owners to expand beyond their original portfolio. This riesling is off two blocks at Storm Haven Vineyard in OK Falls, finished off dry, with 17 g/L RS to fend off the racy TA present. Pithy lime, tangerine, ripe pear, and crunchy green apple skate across the medium palate, finishing with downy lees. A promising start, and one to crack into with yam curries.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Meyer Gewürztraminer McLean Creek Road 2023
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFrom the McLean Creek Vineyard estate, this Gewürztraminer, planted in 1994, is approaching 30 years of age. It undergoes a partial wild fermentation and often involves multiple picking dates to achieve the right balance of sugar and acidity. The late harvest receives an additional 24 hours of skin contact to enhance the wine's complexity. Aromatically, it is bright, featuring honeysuckle, ginger, lychee, and ripe pear. It is dangerously easy to drink. Although it has an exotic and sweet aroma, it finishes with just 6 grams of sugar per litre, making the sweetness barely noticeable. This wine pairs perfectly with hot chicken wings, and I appreciate its great price.Prices:| BC | $19.11 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
92PTS
Sepp Moser Ried Gebling Riesling Reserve 2020
Kremstal, Niederösterreich, Weinland Österreich, AustriaThe Moser family is one of Austria’s grand, traditional viticultural dynasties with roots dating back to the 12th Century. The most famous recent descendant of this family is the renowned viticulture pioneer Dr. Lenz Moser, who in the 1950s developed vine training known as the Lenz Moser system, but it was not until 1987 that the Sepp Moser estate reinvented in into its current state. Weingut Sepp Moser was founded by Sepp Moser in 1987 in Rohrendor, Kremstal. His son Nikolaus took over the 61 hectare estate in 2000, converting the estate to biodynamic viticulture (certified 2006) and organics (certified 2009). From the 1er Cru / Erste Lage Ried Gebling and steep loess slopes 200-300m, this was native fermented in stainless where it remained on lees for 1 year prior to bottling with no filtering. Quite concentrated, with quince, white grapefruit, white pepper filling the taut and textural frame, finishing long with lingering stony salinity.Prices:| ON | $36.90 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Hillside Gewürztraminer 2023
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaIf you love gewürztraminer, this highly quaffable style should appeal to you. You can easily sip it solo on a patio or pair it with your favourite sushi rolls. It has an exotic nose that pitches litchi, tangerine, Asian pear, ruby grapefruit, butter, and ginger, all with a touch of guava bitterness for balance. Clean and fresh, this is ready to drink now, and it remains a party in the glass.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Hillside Heritage Series Muscat Ottonel 2023
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe Muscat family consists of over 200 varieties, with the Ottonel being a particularly floral option. Winemaker Kathy Malone takes a hands off approach throughout much of the process, resulting in a consistently charming product that stands out as one of the best Muscats in North America. The wine undergoes a long, slow fermentation in stainless steel, which produces a stylish floral profile with hints of orange and spice, along with a subtle mid-palate weight that pairs well with richer foods. The finish is just off dry.Prices:| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
12 November 2024
90PTS
Laberinto Cenizas Pinot Noir 2022
Colbún, Valle del Maule, Region del Valle Central, ChileLaberinto is an intriguing pinot noir from the Maule region of Chile. It opens with a pale red/orange colour, but once on the palate, it presents in a more full-flavoured way. The fruit is pure red and savoury—a cool, stony, mineral undercurrent with some herby notes. Silky, complex, and unique, it tells a terroir story different from many other New World pinots. Technically, the fruit comes off a three-hectare block of volcanic soils on the edge of the Andes foothills. A third of the fruit is fermented whole-cluster; all is fermented in concrete before spending only eight months in used 400-litre barrels. It is a little Euro, a little Oregon, and mostly Chilean.Prices:| BC | $34.99 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
93PTS
Lingua Franca Avni Pinot Noir 2022
Eola-Amity Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon, United StatesThe bright, juicy, wild raspberry and strawberry aromas grab your attention right out of the gate. The palate is similar, with black cherry and anise, an undercurrent of red currants, and bright acidity. The extras are silky and long-lasting. There is elegance galore before a wisp of saline seals the deal. Grilled salmon, anyone? The fruit is a mix of the Eola-Amity estate, with the remainder picked off nearby vineyards in the AVA. It is a mix of French, Dijon, and Pommard clones that are hand-harvested, sorted, destemmed and fed bin by bin (not pumped) into medium and large-sized stainless steel and cement fermenting tanks. The fermentation is spontaneous with wild yeast. Some 10% of the grapes were not destemmed and went whole-cluster into airtight tanks. It is aged in 27% new and 73% old French oak barriques for 12 months, followed by four more months in tanks before the final assemblage and bottling.Prices:| BC | $69.00 | 750ml |
| US | $53.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
93PTS
Résonance Pinot Noir 2021
Willamette Valley, Oregon, United StatesThe Résonance pinot, sourced from both the estate and other top-rated sites in the Willamette Valley, is a testament to the expertise of Maison Louis Jadot, the property owner. The winemaking process, which combines French techniques and the Willamette Valley terroir, has resulted in a truly outstanding wine. The warm and dry year of 2021 produced ripe, clean fruit with intense colour. The wine offers an earthy, savoury mix of wild strawberry, mulberry, and floral-scented fruit, followed by medium-weight black cherry and cranberry fruit flavours, a touch of heat and bitterness, and a long, mineral finish. The wine, which spends 15 months in 30 percent new French oak, is a testament to the expertise of Résonance winemaker Guillaume Large, who worked for over a decade with the famed (and mad scientist) Jacques Lardière, chief winemaker and legend at Louis Jadot.Prices:| BC | $73.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $69.99 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Louis Jadot Bourgogne Pinot Noir Couvent des Jacobins 2022
Burgundy, FranceTime and climate change have benefited Bourgogne-level wines, offering more ripeness and weight and giving them that extra mouthfeel they lacked in the 80s, 90s, and 00s. The 22 is a charming example of a young French pinot pitching soft cherries and bright floral notes. Fresh, bright, and pure, this is a lovely mid-week dinner wine you can ply off of a piece of roasted chicken or grilled salmon to play off the richness against the acid.Prices:| BC | $32.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $26.49 | 750ml |
| MB | $31.99 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Stoneleigh Pinot Noir 2020
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandLook for a brooding purple hue on the dark side of normal pinot tones. Upon opening, a bit of reduction and bottle stink eventually dissipates in the glass. The palate is silky smooth, with smoky, savoury black cherry and raspberry and a hint of chocolate. This is not a light pinot but a darker version built for full flavoured menu items like smoked salmon pasta, mushroom risotto, or grilled root vegetables. I like the price for this certified organic pinot noir, machine harvested, crushed into small, open top fermenters and left at ambient temperature before a spontaneous wild fermentation kicks in. Post-ferment, the skin contact lasted 23 days. A portion of press wine is mixed with the free run juice and matured in French oak throughout its malolactic fermentation. Seven months later, it is transferred to seasoned French oak barriques for a further five months of wood aging.Prices:| BC | $21.99 | 750ml |
| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $24.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Quails' Gate Field and Flight Pinot Noir 2023
United StatesField and Flight is a series of wines Kelowna-based Quails’ Gate makes with fruit from outside the country to cope with the massive winter damage it suffered in early 2024. The pinot noir comes out of Oregon with an earthy, savoury undercurrent, which is a great start. The fruit is slightly muted, but the textures are smooth and round, and the finish is long enough to let the wine stretch its legs. Look for red fruits and medium acidity with a touch of spice. It will sell for $22-$26 in select private wine shops, likely in the USA/Oregon section.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
92PTS
Garzón Petit Clos Pinot Noir Block 87 2020
Garzon, Maldonado, San José, UruguayThe Garzon Petit Clos tier is a set of wines chosen from meticulously cared for blocks to showcase the highest varietal expression. Garzón's oenologist and agronomist do the work and involve hand-picked clusters that are thought to tell the story of the place best. Minimal intervention winemaking, fermenting in concrete tanks, and aging in untoasted French oak are the final steps to discovering Garzón's terroir. This pinot spends 18 months aging in French oak casks and clocks in a sensible 13% alcohol. Cool Atlantic breezes cultivate a cool temperature Euro-style pinot that gives off a commanding red berry, mineral, stony nose and a deep red cherry palate sustained by an undercurrent of earth and orange rind. The texture is all Alberto Antonini, the style maestro, giving Block 47 endless food opportunities. Grilled salmon is an easy match, but the winery likes it with pork and plum sauces. Any way you serve it, this is an impressive new wine.Prices:| CDN | $53.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
91PTS
La Soeur Cadette Bourgogne Rouge 2022
Burgundy, FranceValentin Montaney is based in western Bourgogne’s Vézelay, where he is caretaker of his parents’ 22ha of organically farmed vineyards. In 2016, Valentin began a négociant business, creating the La Soeur Cadette range. This Bourgogne Rouge comes from 60 year old vines on the Côte d'Or, in clay and limestone soils. It was aged for 8 months in 225L barrels. Fragrant wild raspberry, bright cherry, roiboos tea streams across the finessed palate, with long, fine tannins hugging this through the peppery end. A joy to drink.Prices:| ON | $45.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Chateau de Sancerre Rouge 2022
Sancerre, Upper Loire, Loire, FranceThis is light and juicy, keeping in the Sancerre rouge (read: pinot noir) idiom. But there's a notch more depth and ripeness here than you can often find in the category. It starts with a deeper medium ruby hue, and a combination of cranberry and tart cherry, backed by floral and mineral accents. The palate is surprisingly rich and structured, and it's easy to imagine this will be better in 3-5 years. Serve lightly chilled to get the most from this fruit.Prices:| BC | $45.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Laurent Miquel Solas Pinot Noir Reserve 2021
l'Aude, Vin de Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceLaurent Miquel says, “Solas is the Irish for light, and in Old French means joy, pleasure, enjoyment. The strategy for all his wines is a light-handed approach. Pinot noir is not a grape that is championed in Languedoc, but nighttime harvesting, a 5-7 day cold soak, and gentle plunge downs have yielded a round, soft, drinkable pinot. It is aged in 80% stainless steel tanks, with 20% going into 1–2 year old barrels. This easy drinking, food friendly style is big on fruit but low complexity. Look for fresh berries streaked with classic Languedoc garrigue, strawberries, and rosemary. Laurent suggests you serve it with traditional charcuterie or Bouillabaisse. It is ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $19.50 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Italia Pinot Nero Can NV
Lombardy, ItalyThis happy looking can of Pinot Nero (aka Pinot Noir) is made with grapes grown in Lombardy's Pavia Region, in northern Italy. Look for a rush of fresh berry with pretty much non-existent tannins. As suggested by the producer we tasted it right from the fridge al fressco with a selction of cheese and it was a winner. Adria Vini is a winemaking venture jointly owned by Boutinot and Araldica Castelvero, the leading co-operative in the Monferrato hills of Piemonte. The aim "is to produce authentic, well-priced still and sparkling wines from local grape varieties."Prices:| BC | $23.99 | 1000ml |
Read Full Note
93PTS
Louis Latour Nuits St. Georges 2020
Nuits-Saint-Georges, Côtes de Nuits, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceThis is a strong showing for the village Nuits-St-Georges from Louis Latour, benefiting from an excellent, ripe 2020 vintage. Dense and brooding, it opens with a litany of sweet spices balanced by sappy dark cherries and black raspberries. There's a real freshness and drive to the palate, both pure and mineral, with fine grained, structured tannins that are polished and approachable now, yet will allow it to continue improving over the next 5-7 years. It's hard to find a lot of value in Burgundy these days, but this certain delivers on the price tag.Prices:| BC | $135.99 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
11 November 2024
91PTS
Chateau Montus 2017
Madiran, Sud-Ouest, FranceFull of earthy, savoury aromas, this tannat and cabernet sauvignon blend (80/20) from Madiran reveals rich dark berries layered with leather, forest floor, and subtle hints of soy and tar. The grippy tannins, a hallmark of tannat, appear to have considerable development before they are fully tamed. There’s a distinct touch of barnyard/brett that adds character. If you appreciate a touch of Brettanomyces in your wine, this offers intriguing appeal and multilayered complexity.Prices:| BC | $34.99 | 750ml |
| QC | $29.35 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
91PTS
Chateau Montus 2017
Madiran, Sud-Ouest, FranceThis is a rugged, slightly rustic iteration of Chateau Montus from Alain Brumont, one of the leading vignerons in Madiran. Veering more savoury than the previous 2016 vintage, this is led by humus, leather, and game, alongside toasted spices, cedar, and dried lavender. The fruit is restrained, in the black cherry and blackberry spectrum, but without being dried out. The tannins are sturdy but are starting to resolve, so pair now with hearty winter stews or tuck away for another 3-4 years while the fruit continues to hold on. There's an impressive amount of wine here for the price, with real depth and complexity. This continues to be outstanding value.Prices:| BC | $34.99 | 750ml |
| QC | $29.35 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Chateau Montus 2017
Madiran, Sud-Ouest, FranceAn 80/20 tannat/cabernet sauvignon mix by nature can be boisterous, even rustic. Still, somehow, Alain Brumont finds the savoury, more complex side of this red, eschewing harsh tannins for some restraint and even elegance. The blackberry, blueberry palate laced with cedar spice and some soy keeps it all together through a long, earthy finish with a splash of Brettanomyces. Reach for a rich winter casserole or stew to take this on.Prices:| BC | $34.99 | 750ml |
| QC | $29.35 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
95PTS
Garzón Balasto 2020
Garzon, Maldonado, San José, UruguayBalasto, made in most but not all years since 2015, is a 42/39/19 mix of tannat, cabernet franc, and petit verdot in 2020, considered one of the finest ever growing seasons in Uruguay. Balasto joined Almaviva and Seña in 2017 as the only South American labels to be sold on the prestigious La Place de Bordeaux. The 2015 is a dense rich red wine that takes you to another level beyond all the Garzon reds. Only the best vintages and the best parcels grown over ancient meteorite granite make their way to Balasto. Like all the Grazon wines, Balstao has that Antonini/Bruzzone elegance that allows the rich black fruits to be front and centre without overwhelming the palate. The mid-palate and finish are mineral with hints of balsamic and spice. Finesse, more than anything, defines this wine. A nice jump up in refinement and style over 2018. It is fermented in 80 hl concrete tanks and aged in large neutral oak botti. Bodega Garzón comprises 1,000 vineyard blocks of varying microclimates and levels of humidity on slopes 17 kilometres from the Atlantic Ocean, close to Punta del Estate, La Barra and Jose Ignacio, surrounded by forest, rocky soils, boulders and palm trees.Prices:| CDN | $90.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
91PTS
Black Hills Ipso Facto 2022
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe 2020 Ipso Facto grabbed a Platinum medal at the WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada, and in 2022, it followed up with a high level Gold medal, riffing off the classic Australian blend of cabernet sauvignon and shiraz. Look for dense aromas of black and blue fruits and black pepper before a palate of rich, juicy black and blue fruits move in with a tarry licorice underside and a lick of chocolate. As intense as it is, it remains a relatively elegant expression of the blend and the South Okanagan. There is no rush to drink this now, although many will. As I have said before, think Penfolds Bin 389 in the south Okanagan. The only downside to this wine is it is losing its winemaker. Ross Wise has recently departed Black Hills choosing to move back to New Zealand to pursue his craft.Prices:| BC | $60.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Bartier Bros. The Orchard Row 2021
Summerland Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis unique red blend of cabernet franc (41%), pinot noir (38%), and merlot (21%) opens with smoky, woodsy aromas that dominate the initial impression. A reminder of the challenging vintage marked by a heat dome and wildfires. Yet, beneath this, tangy red berries like raspberry and red cherry emerge. Later, pinot's rose petals and franc’s herbal notes arise, layering with warm spices of nutmeg and cinnamon from 16 months of aging in neutral French oak. On the palate, it shows refreshing acidity and medium-low dusty tannins that lead to a slightly drying finish.Prices:| BC | $39.99 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
08 November 2024
94PTS
Mission Hill Terroir Collection Jagged Rock Chardonnay 2022
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaI haven't seen this wine since 2017, but have encountered excellent Jagged Rock chardonnay content in recent Checkmate and Mission Hill Perpetua editions. Terroir Series wines are supposed to tell a story, and this distinctive chardonnay with a lemon curd nose, a rich leesy bread dough character, and a lovely level of freshness is a raconteur. In the glass, peaches, lemons, sea salt, and rocks keep the wine moving forward with a level of electricity. The oak is perfect, complemented by a delicious mineral saline finish. It all happens in small French oak casks with very little new oak. Larger French oak barrels take on a third of the fruit, while a small amount is raised in small clay spheres. Eighteen months on lees builds the texture and weight to carry this fantastic Next World chardonnay. Dungeness crab cakes are the West Coast match, and lemon stuffed chicken can be the European response. You may have to join the wine club to buy this wine, but it's hard to know anything about what goes on behind the gates at the highly secretive Mission Hill. I do know some 15 year olds who have more functional websites than this Canadian wine giant.Prices:| BC | $51.99 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Corcelettes Chardonnay 2022
Cawston, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis powerful chardonnay is grown on the Keremeos Bench and in South Cawston. It is barrel fermented in 20% new French oak and 20% second use French oak, while the remaining 60% is fermented in concrete. It goes through complete malolactic fermentation and was regularly stirred daily for 16 weeks, leaving it a richly textured white. The fruit is tropical with papaya, peach, and guava mixed with a stony mineral underside. The finish is long and weighty with some bitter notes that call for food. Halibut, shellfish, creamy pasta, or salty potato chips are all fine matches for this ready to drink chardonnay.Prices:| BC | $34.90 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
91PTS
Blue Mountain Alluvium Reflection Chardonnay Single Vineyard Block 32 2022
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAlluvium Reflection is born from 33 year old vines planted on gravel soils in Okanagan Falls. The vineyard is surrounded by mountainside rocks that reflect the day's heat back onto the vines long into the evening. This is among the riper Blue Mountain offerings, with a fair amount of honey penetrating its ripe peach, lemon confit, minerals, and toasted hazelnuts. There is enough acidity to tighten the finish, with an underscore of bitter nut to offset the ripe fruit flavours. It's a solid offering.Prices:| BC | $50.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
92PTS
Blue Mountain Reserve Cuvée Chardonnay 2022
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe 2022 Reserve Cuvée is a complex full bodied chardonnay fermented wild and aged sur lie 16 months in a mix of new, 1,2, and 3 year old French barriques. The Reserve, a select blend that gets some extra aging, has all the classic Blue Mountain Chardonnay traits: freshness, complexity, lemons, lees, honey, but with another layer of fruit richness. It's not sweeter, but an illusion of Grand Cru like weight takes you there. The elegant citrus styling that runs through the wine on a string of acidity seals the deal. I love the 13.5% level, too. The vines are 16-34 years old, and the mix of clones includes 75, 76, 95, 96 and 548.Prices:| BC | $39.90 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
06 November 2024
85PTS
The Wine Umbrella Mm Rosé 2023
CanadaThe Mm Rosé, a mix of merlot and muscat, is a de-alcoholized product with only 1% alcohol in the final product. It has a distinct watery strawberry character with a streak of orange and tangerine as it fades away to nothing in the finish. If you are looking for no alcohol, this meets the criteria, but it presents like a glass of watered down orange juice. It does meet the rosé all day chant with aplomb, but it's pricey, too.Prices:| BC | $26.95 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Mission Hill Terroir Collection Haynes Creek Vineyard Rosé 2022
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaHaynes Creek Rosé is new to the market from the 2022 vintage. The style is a mix of crisp red fruits and creamy textures, leaving a lively wine that is easy to sip. Look for bright red florals with cinnamon spicing and a silky mid-palate with a more linear tangerine finish. This is a solid offering you can serve at the table with the likes of roasted chicken or grilled salmon.Prices:| BC | $38.99 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
91PTS
Liquidity Atelier Rosé 2023
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe wine presents a pale, nearly colourless rosé that captures the essence of Provençal pink. The fruit is cultivated and harvested specifically for rosé production, resulting in a floral and tart mouthwatering profile. It showcases fresh ruby red grapefruit and wild strawberries with hints of citrus. This wine pairs beautifully with ahi sashimi or a simple Margherita pizza. While the wine itself is delightful, the pricing can be perplexing.Prices:| BC | $59.99 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Chivite Las Fincas Rosado 2023
Vinos de la Tierra de Castilla, SpainChivite is a collab between Julián Chivite and the Arzak family. Juan Mari Arzak Arratibel is a lauded Spanish chef, and a master of Basque cuisine, so the wines are certainly designed to be food-friendly. Pale pink in hue, this glossy, sleek, and pretty rosado charms with crushed florals, pretty wild strawberry, and mandarin over a slight lees bed dusted with pink peppercorn. Ready to tackle any proteins at the table, though a lovely solo sipper also.Prices:| BC | $39.99 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Phoenix Afterglow Rosé 2023
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe Phoenix labels are a new series of wines, taking Corcelette's winemaker Charlie Baessler outside the estate to source grapes to expand its offerings, especially timely given the recent winter damage in the Similkameen. In 2021, this fruit was sourced from King Vineyard on the Naramata Bench. This vibrant red-pink rosé mixes merlot, cabernet franc, malbec, and cabernet sauvignon fermented in stainless steel and finished with a modest 5.4 g/L of sugar. The nose is a cherry berry affair with candied strawberry and melon, finishing dry and weighty compared to most paler, lighter versions. Serve with a favourite charcuterie spread.Prices:| BC | $21.90 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Phantom Creek Estates Rosé 2022
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFrom blocks dedicated to rosé production at Becker, Ryegrass, and Evernden Spring Vineyards, 2022 is an organic certified pink long on finesse and finishing dry. It has bright, delicate red berries sprinkled with spice. It is fermented in 77/23 stainless steel and Austrian oak foudres for three months. The final blend is 8/27/18/3/3/1 merlot, syrah, cabernet franc, petit verdot, malbec, and carmenere. Ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $31.99 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Lightning Rock Pinot Noir Rosé Elysia Vineyard 2023
Summerland Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFrom the dark side of pinot noir rosé, this single vineyard Elysia is about as nonstandard as they come. The nose is decidedly herbaceous with green shrub. The fruit is primarily carbonic in style, with cranberry, forest berries, and thorny blackberries, with some bitter notes in a high acid finish. It's an outlier rosé for sure and not one for the timid. The winery suggests serving it with Korean barbecue, and I think that would be a good idea.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
05 November 2024
88PTS
Wirra Warra Catapult Shiraz 2020
McLaren Vale, South Australia, AustraliaThe last time I tasted this wine was a decade ago, at the winery, when we decided to try out the medieval-looking trebuchet on the property with a bunch of unlucky watermelons. This wine fares better than those fruit, with grapes coming from around McLaren Vale, and aging in a mix of 70% French and 30% American (approximately 20% new). Ripe and fleshy, with rich blackberry, cassis jam, and a cool lick of minty pine, this glides along the palate unassisted by tannins, finishing with a bitter dark chocolate twist and a wee flush of warmth. Try with beef curry.Prices:| BC | $29.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
91PTS
CedarCreek Platinum Haynes Creek Single Vineyard Syrah 2022
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe inaugural vintage of the Platinum Syrah was only five years ago. The vines were 15 years old in 2022, and the wine is a knockout. It's now certified organic, and it's all wild fermented in concrete and stainless steel tanks before spending 13 months in French oak barrels and 500L puncheons to help further encourage an effortless drinking style; no easy task with syrah. The colour is dark and deep, the attack soft and floral with a peppery meaty entry and beautiful sweet character that runs the length of the palate. It is a magical Pacific Northwest meets Rhone style. Drinking this wine and seeing how high it can reach makes me wonder if the vines survived the deep freeze in 2023. Fresh and balanced at only 13.5 percent alcohol, this one must be stocked up.Prices:| BC | $64.99 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
91PTS
Mission Hill Terroir Collection Jagged Rock Syrah 2022
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada2022 Jagged Rock Vineyard Syrah is part of the Terroir Collection, and you will get it as soon as you taste this wine. It is powerful and complex at once, reflecting its Black Sage Bench position in the warm South Okanagan. The nose is intense, pitching spice and meaty notes with minerals and dark red/black fruit nuances. Silky smooth tannins are the backdrop for this mouth-filling red that is just beginning to show its ultimate expression. Complex and lengthy, this is a wine for aficionados. It is 100% syrah that spends 15 months in foudre (16%), puncheon (8%) and French oak barrels (66%).Prices:| BC | $62.99 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
92PTS
Corcelettes Syrah 2022
Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, CanadaMade from estate syrah (clone 100) with a touch of viognier (5%), this intense and expressive Similkameen syrah bursts with violet florals, plum, blueberry, black cherry, and a hint of black pepper on the finish. It further reveals the characteristic gamey, meaty wildness of syrah, complemented by hints of rosemary, thyme, and stony minerals. The ripe, succulent fruit never feels heavy or jammy. A healthy dose of firm tannins and fresh acidity nicely frames the fruit, giving it the structure and balance. This is a superb expression of the variety and a true representation of the region’s unique character.Prices:| BC | $36.90 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
04 November 2024
87PTS
Wild Goose Late Harvest Gewürztraminer 2021
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaGently perfumed with just ripe orchard fruit, this late harvest gewürztraminer is produced in a medium-sweet style, with surprisingly sharp acidity to cut through the residual sugar. It's not altogether seamless, but fans of the style will find lots to like here, and the 10% abv will make it versatile at the dinner table, too.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 375ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Lunessence Small Lot Series Vin Gris 2023
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis vin gris is of gamay, wild fermented and aged for 4 months in a combination of neutral French oak and tank. This shows fruit salad aromas, with fermentation esters and a lees accent. It's a well made, easy sipper, with some bitterness to the moderate finish.Prices:| BC | $27.99 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Joiryde Winery Tread Lightly 2023
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaTread Lightly is a fun, vibrant, dry white wine with an energizing nose and palate. The mix is 61/39 gewürztraminer and the aromatic chardonnay musqué clone. The nose is ginger dominated, with plenty of exotic tropical fruit on the palate reminiscent of pineapple, orange, and citrus. It is ready to drink and well suited to sushi rolls or grilled prawns.Prices:| BC | $17.49 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
01 November 2024
88PTS
Michele Chiarlo Langhe Nebbiolo Il Principe 2021
Langhe, Cuneo, Piedmont, ItalyA family winery since its inception in 1956, this early-drinking nebbiolo was sourced from the sandy blue clays of Roero, and fermented and aged in stainless for 1 year. This 2021 is showing a bit of bottle maturity, with some secondary dried leaves and dried florals interwoven with fresh cherry and scrubby resinous herbs, framed with soft, fine tannins. A friendly light red for pizza night.Prices:| NS | $37.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Red Barn Stand Apart Nebbiolo 2022
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThere is a faint resemblance to nebbiolo here, which is an accomplishment given how few places can grow nebbiolo outside of Piedmont, Italy. It opens with signature fresh tea and rose aromas, and a well balanced dark fruit palate with modest tannins. The fruit is fermented and aged in neutral vessels so the fruit is pure. It is a stylish start and looks worth pursuing, but if you are looking for the more robust classic Italian nebbiolo, this is not for you.Prices:| BC | $75.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
92PTS
Giovanni Rosso Del Commune di Serralunga d'Alba Barolo 2018
Serralunga, Cuneo, Piedmont, ItalyI love the tight mineral styling of this Serralunga, giving the wine a regal stony undercarriage. The fruit comes from six vineyards planted in 1947, 1959, 1994, 2000, 2006, and 2008, over a mix of calcareous clay, limestone, and sandy soils, farmed by the Rosso family for over a century. The charming 2018's are a delight to drink now, although they can effortlessly age for a decade or more. Red and blue fruits headline, with blood orange and dried roses following. The vinification is done in cement tanks, and the aging is done in 25 hectolitre French oak casks for 36 months.Prices:| BC | $70.99 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Travaglini Nebbiolo Coste della Sesia 2020
Gattinara, Piedmont, ItalyNebbiolo light is always an appealing way to introduce you to the northern Italian reds. The Travaglini family has produced estate wines off 59 hectares of vineyards covering roughly 50% of the total Gattinara DOCG for four generations. Expect refreshing young vine wines with bright acidity and dry, if soft, tannins. Roses, plums, and leathers mark the nose and spill onto the palate with more black cherries, plums, licorice, and spice. It's not quite rustic, but I need some spaghetti, meatballs, or a favourite hard cheese (the older, the better). The wine is aged 4 months in stainless steel tanks and 10 months in used Slavonian oak casks.Prices:| BC | $37.99 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
91PTS
Travaglini Gattinara 2019
Gattinara, Piedmont, ItalyAlways a blend of several vineyard sites, this nebbiolo is perhaps best described as a ready to drink Barolo. In 2019, a vintage to remember in Piedmont, this label is supercharged. The nose entices with red berries, pepper, floral, and wet stone, but the midpalate’s fitness and charm deliver the added dimension. The textures are soft and round, the acidity excellent, and the finish complex and finesed while streaked with garam masala, smoke, and minerals. Superb drinking now and with the assurance that it will age gracefully through 2030 and beyond, this wine could be a smart investment.Prices:| BC | $48.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $32.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $29.95 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
